Letters: Policymakers' free will

Apropos Shyam Saran’s article “Muddling along is no longer an option” (October 17), the fact is that our policymakers are driven by electoral considerations rather than sound economic or development principles. So, it is futile to expect them to take sound economic decisions. This becomes even more difficult owing to the first-past-the-post electoral system and the complex identity calculus that is at play in most constituencies. We need to take a complete relook at factors like these and make such changes, so that all elected representatives get an opportunity to do good for their voters and are seen doing so. We should start by allowing elected representatives to vote individually on Bills without any party diktats and whips. Also, voting on Bills should be open, and not by a secret ballot system, so that people know which Bills their representatives have supported or opposed in both the Houses. More and more private members’ Bills should be allowed, since this will help increase the scope for contribution to policy-making by individual elected representatives.

 

Kishor Kulkarni Mumbai

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